Toluca lake Pumpkin Patch has an incredible haunted maze set up. Its really creepy even with no scaractors in it. It’s near Zombie Joe’s Urban Death in North Hollywood NOHO, so hit both up together, 2018 haunted house and home haunt reviews for the Los Angeles Area. Hauntsofla.com

The Farm is a Western themed haunt located in Glendale, California. This cozy and gruesome maze contains several sharp turns, offering surprises and fun around every corner. The Farm is only open for two nights per season, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Often, mazes will be lengthy but lack enough content to make the experience satisfying. The Farm seems to be aware of this fact and instead does the opposite: it has numerous ideas, props and characters which work together within tight spaces and small sets – all within the space of a driveway.

The Farm contains five rooms which fully immerse you into a ghoulish barnyard experience. You will walk by corn stalks, horse skeletons, bales of hay, and severed human remains as you encounter high-tech mechanics in an atmosphere saturated with beautiful lighting effects. The Farm’s art direction is reminiscent of a mixture of Boney Island, Knott’s Scary Farm and Disneyland.

The Farm may be small in size, but it is large in content. This maze experience is delivered with perfect precision, bringing the horrors within to life for the delight and fright of visitors. The Farm is unique and unlike anything else you will find in the DIY haunt world. Follow them on Facebook and don't miss out on next year’s experience (which we hear will have less gore and be more family friendly).

For years we have traveled to The Nightmare in Whiting Woods on Halloween, only to arrive too late to gain entrance. This haunt is located up a winding road in a cozy neighborhood. The line to get in gets very long very quickly, so this year we arrived at 7 pm sharp in order to get in. We were finally able to experience this beautiful maze with an evolving theme, and it was impressive.

The line to get into The Nightmare in Whiting Woods wraps up a winding set of narrow steps. It begins at the bottom of the hill that the maze and home reside on. As you slowly make your way up the stairs, you will see classic horror films being projected and hear grunts coming from distorted hunchbacked monsters hiding in the darkness. Once you get to the top of the stairs, you will come upon the exterior of a castle guarded by a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is a very realistic character who will ask you in a foreboding voice if you are sure you want to enter the castle, because there is no exit. This is confirmed by the fact that no exit can be seen (it’s located on a different part of the hill). This is a great detail which sets a suspenseful tone for those about to enter the haunt.

Inside the castle we walked through a wonderfully rendered set of medieval chambers which led to a graveyard. Each section had impressive characters embellished with beautiful costuming and make-up. They helped to create an immersive narrative filled with interactive experiences. At one point we summoned the dead, which led to the cemetery coming to life. We also saw floating skeletons and we were chased by a chainsaw wielding human/pig hybrid.

The Nightmare in Whiting Woods is an incredible work of art which has existed for almost two decades. The love and labor which goes into its creation and execution makes it a coveted destination for hundreds of trick-or-treaters. The Nightmare in Whiting Woods was a perfect way to conclude the Halloween season, and we can’t wait to go back next year!

Revenge of the Ninja might be the only haunt that exists in a Karate School. Its layout is minimal, composed of mostly brick and black backgrounds. Instead of art direction, Revenge of the Ninja focuses on combining speed and illusion in order to create a thrilling experience.

Ninjas will appear out of thin air as they speed towards you. Ninjas will even jump out from behind a 1 inch wide wooden beam! If you haven’t made it out to Revenge of the Ninja yet, we highly recommend you visit this legendary LA haunt.

Ben Conway has been making haunted attractions in his parent’s yard since he was 11 years old. Now, at the age of 15, his talent is years beyond people who are twice his age. This is evident in his creativity and technical ability which has produced a multi-leveled Halloween attraction.

Conway’s front yard is transformed into a graveyard in which jack o’ lanterns interact with you as thunder rumbles and lightning flashes. The cemetery is filled with tombstones which Conway himself has individually crafted. Behind the yard display, there is an interactive room within which an actor tells the tale of El Cucay, the creature from Mexican folklore who steals misbehaved children. This part of the yard haunt, inspired from other interactive plays like Delusion, is quick and fun. (We won’t spoil anything for you, but know that this experience is greatly enjoyable.) You will then walk into a separate yard area which is embellished with numerous Halloween decorations including cobwebs, singing jack o’ lanterns, and spooky skeletons. (The skeletons could be a nod to Boney Island, as Conway volunteered there when he was younger.)

What makes Halloween so great is seeing young people showcase their creativity, talents, and aspirations. Rosehill Haunt is a great example of this, and also proves that Boney Island, Knott’s, and Disney can stoke the imaginations of children so that they may follow their creativity. We greatly encourage you to make it out to Studio City to visit Rosehill Haunt, which is a skip and a jump away from Rotten Apple and Backwoods in Burbank. Check out this young talent as he prepares to embark on a brilliant future career!

Brought to you by PROliFX, the Haunted Rose has spent the past few years entertaining visitors outside of a residential home in Whittier. Owner Ryan Banfield is an incredibly talented effects technician who has worked on feature films (Iron Man, Terminator Salvation, Avatar) and with world-renowned companies (Knott's Berry Farm, Stan Winston Studio, The Walt Disney Company, Cirque Du Soleil). Banfield’s background is evident in the incredible attention to detail, characters, and storytelling of the Haunted Rose.

The Haunted Rose pulls you into a Lovecraftian world in which a mad scientist uses necromancy to bring to life otherworldly and bizarre creatures. These horrific creations are the result of the hybridization of animals and humans. They appear throughout the maze as you wander through beautiful sets and exquisite lighting. The art direction of this maze is impeccable, as is the timing of the mechanics and the performances of the actors.

The love of H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror is evident throughout this haunt. You will be dazzled by the gothic settings filled with beautiful special effects and intense frights. The Haunted Rose is both impressive and fun. We love this haunt! Take a chance and go visit the mad doctor and hope that you make it out alive!

Spooky Hollows is a haunted underworld inhabited by maniacal crones and tenebrous caves. You will walk through a swamp enshrouded in thick fog as skeletal alligators stare at you from below. Carnivorous plants await you as you make your way through creeping vines. In the end, you can pray at the pumpkin shrine so that your soul is not left behind.

This beautiful walkthrough and family friendly haunt leaves behind the gore and typical scares found in most mazes. The actors could double for Macbeth’s witches and help to create a genuine otherworldly atmosphere. They are fully committed to giving you the best experience as a guest. It is unbelievable that this maze lives within a small suburban back yard.

Spooky Hollows creates a haunted world which is innovative and filled with imagination. This is a really enjoyable maze and we hope to make our way back again before Halloween.

Some of the greatest things about yard haunts are that you get to see communities come together so that kids and teenagers can to bring to life their imaginations and creativity. Pico Rivera’s maze, Realm Of Shadow, does this perfectly. There are fun mechanics, crazy DIY layouts, and really fun scaractors contained with the tarped walls of this maze.

Realm of Shadow is a mischievous haunt which has been around for decades. The playfulness of the frights that await you around every corner will put a smile on your face. There are tricks and twists that you will never see coming. If you’re in the Pico Rivera, check out this really fun yard walkthrough maze!

For the past 20 years, Bob and his family have brought us the Haunted Shack, an incredible home maze located outside of LA in Torrance. The Haunted Shack is an ever-evolving attraction whose features are updated and changed each Halloween season. The differences from year to year are so vast that you never quite know what you are getting into.

This year had lots of surprises - including floating beds, mirrored illusions, and hovering floors. With each turn the cavernous hallways and dark environment created an eerie atmosphere laced with suspense and shock. The engineering used in this maze is always top notch, and Bob and his volunteers no doubt work themselves to the bone to provide their visitors with an exceptional home haunt experience.

Murder House Productions is a Thousand Oaks home haunt created by actors Aurora Persichetti and Kyle Warner. This year they have brought the 2007 cult classic Trick ‘r Treat to life in a multiple room walkthrough maze built out of the garage of Persichetti’s family home.

As we waited in line, we were surrounded by a candy scented fog while melancholy music played in the background. As the fog parted, we saw a figure slowly lurking towards us. Our eyes settled on Sam, the demonic and mischievous protagonist of the epic cult movie Trick ‘r Treat. As Sam crept around us, we were astonished by how real he looked. He carried with him the half bitten jack o’ lantern lollipop, with which he slowly threatened everyone in line. This scaractor was absolutely perfect and offered a good omen of the quality of work which awaited us inside the maze.

The creators have put an incredible amount of imagination and work into this haunt. Once you know that Persichetti works in Universal’s Walking Dead attraction, you get an insight into the background and knowledge behind this maze. The Horror Nights influence can be noticed immediately in the outside decor which includes official signage using the AHS font and a replica of Universal’s Rules and Regulations. No stone has been left unturned as they bring to life incredible props, dazzling full moons, and professional lighting to transport you inside the world of Trick ‘r Treat. They even recreated Sam’s finale room with the detailed touch of perfectly matching the handwriting on the wall. It’s easy to be left awestruck when you realize that they have somehow turned a suburban garage into a million dollar maze.

The detail and quality of work in this haunt is stunning and will make you feel like you have been magically absorbed into the world of Trick ‘r Treat. They are only open for two more nights so please take the time to trek out to Thousand Oaks and enjoy this labor of love. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for these young actors and their very talented bag of halloween tricks.

VanOaks Cemetery is not a maze or a play, but instead a beautiful and ghostly yard display. Its tombstones slowly move while ghostly figures haunt the windows of the house behind it. Flashes of lightning illuminate the graveyard, allowing the viewers to see clearly the details of the cemetery. Low rolls of thunder and the sounds of crickets heighten the mood, while a large shrouded figure stands guard over a grave.

The execution of this display is simple and reminiscent of the now defunct House Of Restless Spirits. If you are in the Van Nuys area, perhaps checking out Spooky Hallow, then make a stop by VanOaks Cemetery to soak in the beauty of Halloween.

Created by the extremely talented 15 year old Sam Kellman, the Opechee Haunt has embarked on its first year away from haunted mazes. This year, the Glendale yard attraction is a family friendly play entitled Jack’s Halloween Jamboree.

The show takes place in Kellman’s front yard - which has been transformed into a cemetery filled with animated jack o’ lanterns. The personalities in this play provide a fun variety show enhanced by the technical prowess exhibited in the sound and lighting. Kellman’s talent permeates the play through the sequenced projections and lights which are synched to the symphonic audio. The multiple stereo points throughout the yard create a great illusion as the audio seems to emanate out of the mouths of the characters. The script is well timed and playful as it incorporates pop culture, comedy, and music into a very entertaining attraction.

Jack’s Halloween Jamboree is very enjoyable and offers a hybrid of old world Halloween mixed with modern technology. A creative and original idea like this is rare. The influence of Disney, Universal and even Boney Island are present while the dialogue is whimsical and reminiscent of vintage Halloween skits and Peanuts cartoons.

Hellman's creativity is already decades beyond his age. We have no doubt that he is on his way to create great works of art that the world will love.

We have had the pleasure of attending Jordan’s High Desert Haunt, aka Victoria Manor, for the past 3 years. This haunt is a hidden gem which can only be accessed by driving up an unlit dirt road in the middle of Apple Valley. Victoria Manor is a ramshackle paradise built with pieces of old houses, vehicles, and stacked up rubble. It’s an astonishing and spectacular haunt that is always a priority for us to visit.

The Victoria Manor feels at times scary, funny, or ridiculous. It hosts two mazes which are drastically different – the first maze is mellow, and the second maze is completely insane. The second maze is overwhelmingly beautiful and chaotic – there’s fire, chainsaws, and numerous moments where practically every character of the maze is following you. Characters range from young children to older adults. Our favorite character is the one armed Frankenstein monster. This man constantly pops up in front of you, always in the same pose with his arm out while never speaking a word.

The Victoria Manor has its own unique personality unlike any other haunt we’ve visited.

As enormous fans of this haunt we encourage everyone to visit this weekend. Tonight will be 18 and up night and the weekend is going to have a hayride in addition to the 2 mazes.

For decades, Rotten Apple 907 has been one of the most inspired haunts in the SoCal area. Every season they completely change their theme, constantly evolving to the delight and surprise of their visitors.

Two months ago their storage flooded, destroying many of their flats. To make things worse, the presence of multiple bee hives caused even greater damage. The family tried to salvage as much as they could, and worked tirelessly to get their haunt open in time for Halloween season.

This year’s theme is "The Portal". Its tone is very dark, especially compared to the usually playful nature of their past haunts. In previous years we have seen themes ranging from cowboys to fairytales. This year, the maze is more bare bones, with a beautiful focus on dark characters, colors, and lighting. As you travel through the maze you will hear the haunting sound of bees buzzing through the walls. Within the rooms you will see shadowy witches and skeletal remains which startle you as they suddenly come to life. As expected, everything is very imaginative and executed with precision with timed electronics and original theatrics. Despite the unfortunate circumstances with their storage, the Rotten Apple family pulled together another spectacular and flawless haunt.

Rotten Apple 907 is in a league of its own, and "The Portal" shows that even in their darkest moments they can bring joy and wonder to people of all ages while raising money for charitable causes.

In the backyard of an 1800’s Craftsman lies Covina’s haunted gem: The Hollenbeck House Haunt. For 9 years this maze has been a neighborhood effort, incorporating a lot of the children from around the block. Inside the maze are suspenseful turns at every corner, revealing scary clowns, Chuckies and zombie kids.

In front of the house, the owner has decorated his yard with over 500 customized electronic horror characters. When asked if he had a background as an automaton maker, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "No, I make funnel cakes”. Luckily for you he is selling these delicious treats from his booth outside the maze! All proceeds from both the funnel cakes and the maze benefit the Special Olympics.

If you want a slice of a classic suburban haunt experience, then visit the Hollenbeck House for its 9th season. This is a wonderful community effort that has become a neighborhood Halloween tradition.

Haunted House 626 can only be found by following a few hand written signs posted on a few lone telephone poles around Covina. We happened upon these signs while visiting the Hollenbeck House Haunt. We followed them on a whim, and we are so glad that we did!

Haunts House 626 is only $3 to enter and is only open for one weekend a year. Its walkway is very narrow and not for those who fear tight spaces. The maze is contained within a storage area of the home which hosts it. All the characters inside are played by teenagers..... lots and lots of them!

Inside this haunt are dozens of ghoulish teens constantly screaming and coming at you from every available angle, including above and below. This experience is loud and relentless. The energy of this maze is on par with what you would find in a mosh pit. At the end you come out asking yourself, "What the hell just happened?!”

Tonight (October 21) is their last night of the season. Visit if you can. Otherwise you’ll have to wait to scream with them til next year.

(HAUNTERS TIP: A suggested itinerary to follow would be doing tonight in Covina with Haunted House 626, Hollenbeck House Haunt, and then Into the Black in Pomona).